Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall
The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.
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Paternal Family Tree: Watson
In 1730 Charles Watson-Wentworth 2nd Marquess Rockingham was born to [his father] Thomas Watson 1st Marquess Rockingham (age 36).
On 22nd June 1744 [his brother-in-law] William Fitzwilliam 1st and 3rd Earl Fitzwilliam (age 24) and [his sister] Anne Watson Wentworth Countess Fitzwilliam were married at St George's Church, Hanover Square. She by marriage Countess Fitzwilliam, Baroness Fitzwilliam of Liffer in Donegal. She the daughter of [his father] Thomas Watson 1st Marquess Rockingham (age 50). He the son of John Fitzwilliam 2nd Earl Fitzwilliam and Anne Stringer.
In 1746 [his father] Thomas Watson 1st Marquess Rockingham (age 52) was created 1st Marquess Rockingham.
On 26th February 1746 Thomas Watson 3rd Earl Rockingham (age 30) died without issue. Earl Rockingham extinct. His first cousin once removed [his father] Thomas (age 52) succeeded 6th Baron Rockingham of Northampton, 6th Baronet Watson of Rockingham Castle in Northamptonshire. He left his estates to his first cousin Lewis Watson 1st Baron Sondes (age 17) who changed his surname from Monson to Watson on 31st January 1751.
On 6th September 1746 [his brother-in-law] William Fitzwilliam 1st and 3rd Earl Fitzwilliam (age 26) was created 1st Earl Fitzwilliam. [his sister] Anne Watson Wentworth Countess Fitzwilliam by marriage Countess Fitzwilliam.
On 14th December 1750 [his father] Thomas Watson 1st Marquess Rockingham (age 57) died. His son Charles (age 20) succeeded 2nd Marquess Rockingham, 7th Baron Rockingham of Northampton, 7th Baronet Watson of Rockingham Castle in Northamptonshire.
In 1752 Charles Watson-Wentworth 2nd Marquess Rockingham (age 22) and Mary Bright were married. He the son of Thomas Watson 1st Marquess Rockingham.
In 1760 Charles Watson-Wentworth 2nd Marquess Rockingham (age 30) was appointed 578th Knight of the Garter by King George II of Great Britain and Ireland (age 76).
In 1769 [his sister] Anne Watson Wentworth Countess Fitzwilliam died.
Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
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Royal Ascot. The reign of George III. saw the institution of the " Classic " races. The Doncaster St. Leger was established by Colonel St. Leger (age 43), who lived near Doncaster. In 1776 he proposed a sweepstakes of 25 guineas each for 3-year-old colts and fillies over a two-mile course, which was won from six competitors by the Marquis of Rockingham's (age 46) filly, Allabuculia.
In 1778 a dinner was being held at the Red Lion Inn, Doncaster, on the entry day of the races, and the Marquis of Rockingham then proposed that the sweepstakes suggested by Colonel St. Leger two years previously should be run for annually, and bear the name of the founder. In this year it was won again by a filly, called Hollandaise, belonging to Sir Thomas Gascoigne (age 30).
In 1776 the St Leger Stakes was first run - it if the oldest and longest of Britain's five Classics which is the last to be run each year. The race is run at Doncaster over a distance of 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 115 yards (2,921 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in September. It was founded by Anthony St Leger (age 43) with the assistance of Charles Watson-Wentworth 2nd Marquess Rockingham (age 46).
In 1782 Charles Watson-Wentworth 2nd Marquess Rockingham (age 52) died. Marquess Rockingham, Baron Rockingham of Northampton, Baronet Watson of Rockingham Castle in Northamptonshire extinct.
Kings Wessex: Great x 21 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 17 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 23 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 18 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 21 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 11 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 20 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 27 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 22 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 25 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Watson 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Watson of Rockingham Castle
Great x 2 Grandfather: Lewis Watson 1st Baron Rockingham
Great x 4 Grandfather: Kenelm Digby 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Digby
Great x 1 Grandfather: Edward Watson 2nd Baron Rockingham 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Manners 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Manners 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Dorothy Vernon 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor Manners Baroness Rockingham 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Pierrepont 
10 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Grace Pierrepont 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Frances Cavendish 
8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
GrandFather: Thomas Watson 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Wentworth 
10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Wentworth 1st Baronet 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Gascoigne 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Strafford 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Atkins
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Atkins Baroness Wentworth Woodhouse
Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Wentworth Baroness Rockingham 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Denzil Holles
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Holles 1st Earl de Clare 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Sheffield 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Arabella Holles 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Stanhope 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Stanhope Countess de Clare 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Port
Father: Thomas Watson 1st Marquess Rockingham 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Charles Watson-Wentworth 2nd Marquess Rockingham 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England